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H> Profile: Libby
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H/ Appointments,
page 15
Community News for Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA SECOND GENERATION Vol. XII, Issue I September/Octob er 20 1 2
SHEFFIELD FAIR IS SEPT. 8 AT THE TOWN PARK
For more than 10 years, the end of sum-
mer in Sheffield has meant great corn, oc-
casional torrential downpours and the
Sheffield Fair, held on the Saturday after
Labor Day weekend.
The 12 th annual Fair this year coin-
cides with the Sheffield Friendly Union's
125 th anniversary celebration of Dewey
Memorial Hall. Both events are under the
"Sheffield in Celebration" umbrella.
Sheffield in Celebration was founded by
the Sheffield Association, publisher of the
Sheffield Times, in 2001 as a way to con-
nect people and businesses in the com-
munity and celebrate our town.
The Sheffield Fair
This year's fair is on Sat., Sept. 8, from
noon to 5pm at the Town Park on Miller
Ave. Admission is free.
A real country fair, it includes show-
manship and fitting competitions for cat-
tle, horses and poultry. There will also be
other animals for fairgoers to enjoy.
NEW IN TOWN: INFORMATION KIOSK
The Sheffield Business Association's new information kiosk has now been installed next
to the Village on the Green Restaurant in the center of town. The structure was built by
students at Mt. Everett High School. When it's finished, it will house member brochures
and other information as well as two community bulletin boards for public notices.
In this issue
Community
Music & More, McGarry party 2
Dewey Hall pie contest 3
Sheffield's lime kilns, church auction 4
Farmers' market, folk music, art show 5
Libby O'Connor profile, Barnards talk 6
Ukuleles in Sheffield 8
Library News | o
Church news 1 2
Senior Ctr. Friends, Good Samaritan benefit 1 3
Village Green
Board of Selectmen minutes 14
Town appointments, recycling 1 5
Town Clerk, Disabilities, Planning Board 1 6
Conservation Comm., Cultural Council 1 7
The 4th Annual apple pie contest is
sponsored by King Arthur Flour, which
provides prizes in three age categories
and a prize for best in show. See the entry
coupon and rules on page 3.
The Old Parish quilters have been
busy and will auction off their beautiful
creation (see page 3). It's the 20 th annual
raffle to benefit the church.
Local craftspeople, organizations and
community groups, including the Town of
Sheffield, will have tables to dispense in-
formation and sell their wares.
The food court will include local pro-
duce and baked goods for sale. And the
popular Historical Society salad bar will
be back, with more than 25 salads to
choose from! The Kiwanis will be back
with their hot dogs and hamburgers, and
there will be ice cream and fair food too.
Activities for kids will include face-
painting, hay rides and lots more!
New this year, is a unique bike ride —
"Ride & Rhyme"— it starts at 12:30, for
the first 15 people who sign up. The eight-
mile ride will take a fairly flat route. This
chance to see Sheffield's backroads and
learn about the town is suitable for adults
and older kids and will last about an hour.
All through the Fair, local and regional
talent will play family-friendly music. The
music is being produced by Tom Ingersoll.
Dewey Hall anniversary Celebration
The Dewey Hall festivities start at
7:30pm with a tree planting and cake
and then music feature Kip Beacco and
Continued on pave 3
Organizations & Businesses
New antique store
18
Cobble news & events. Scouts
19
Kiwanis, Harvest Brunch
20
Land Trust
21
Real estate transfers & fire log
22
Calendar page
23
Advertise
in a hometown
paper!
The Sheffield Times
accepts advertisements from...
H> Sheffield businesses
Pv Sheffield residents
h> Regional businesses
that benefit Sheffield
No editorial or political advertisements
Contact Tara White
at 229-7754 or
sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
for rates and information
MUSIC & MORE IN NEW MARLBOROUGH
■*
Sheffield
TIMES
Community Newsletter for
Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA
Editors: Kathy Orlando & Andrea Scott
Layout: Andrea Scott
Advertising Sales: Tara White
Distribution: Trudy Weaver Miller
Staff: Sandy 6k Dale Alden, Rae Eastman,
Fred Gordon, Gillian Hettinger,
Judy Schumer, Ellen Weiss,
Barbara West, John Wightman
Published by
The Sheffield Association
P.O. Box 1339
Sheffield, MA 01257
sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
www.sheffieldtimes.org
and on Facebook: Sheffield Times
Working since 2001 to foster communication
imong the people, businesses and organizations
of Sheffield and Ashley Falls.
Photo credits: Kathy Orlando, page 1, 2. Keith
Ives, 3. Marion Whitman, 3. Fred llarwood, 4.
O'Connor family, 7. Judity Schumer, 8, 18. Andrea
Scott, 11, 21. John Wightman, 12.
The 21 st season of Music 8C More is
underway in New Marlborough. Events
take place at 4:30 at the Meeting House
on the New Marlborough Green. Music
tickets are $25 ($20 for members of the
New Marlborough Village Association).
Tickets can be reserved at the website
(www.newmarlborough.org), by phone at
229-2785, or purchased at the door.
The internationally acclaimed Dae-
dalus Quartet appears on Sept. 8. The
Boston Classical Trio will makes its
Berkshire debut on Sept. 15, preceded by
a free pre-concert talk at 4 p.m. On Sept.
22 pianist Robert Levin and violinist
Daniel Stepner play Johannes Brahms
and Levin will perform a selection of
piano music by Mendelssohn. A free pre-
concert talk begins at 3:30.
On Sept. 29, the acclaimed Latin-jazz
vocalist and composer Maria Rivas joins
clarinetist Paul Green and the Jewish
Jazz Project Ensemble for a collaboration
of jazz, Latin, Klezmer and Sephardic
music followed by a wine tasting, hosted
by Domaney's of Great Barrington in the
Art Gallery.
The Festival concludes on Oct. 6 with
Liza Mundy (The Richer Sex), Andrew
Nagorski (Hitlerland) and Peter Cameron
(Coral Glynn) discussing their work.
Tickets to this event are $10 and $15.
Police Chief's party.
Jim McGarry, Sheffield's
P retiring police chief, was
honored at a town party
on July 28. The Board of
Selectmen — Julie Hannum,
David Smith, Jr., Rene
Wood — presented Jim with
a placque and certificate
of appreciation for his 45
years of service, among
honors from the Fire
Dept., State Senator
Ben Downing, State
Representative Smitty
Pignatelli, US Sena-
tor Brown's office and
others. Below: Jim
and the whole police
department. Acting
Police Chief Eric
Munson is standing
to Jim's right .
THREE MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT
THE SHEFFIELD TIMES
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
<A? Submit articles, news items, photos or illustrations.
tA? Tell us about your events.
cKp Advertise— and support our advertisers. lrt \\\tt |WWMHMI """""%/,
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***'
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Sheffield Times ;
P.O.Box 1339 \
Sheffield, MA 01257
E-mail: sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
Novermberl December
issue deadline:
October IS
'**
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MORE PIE! DEWEY HALL'S CONTEST IN OCTOBER
The second annual "People's Choice Anything Goes" Pie Contest
will be held at Dewey Memorial Hall in downtown Sheffield on
Sun., Oct. 7. The pies can be sweet or savory.AII pies must be in
place by noon. Judging will begin at 3pm.
The contest follows on the contest held at the Sheffield Fair.
That contest is for apple pies only. King Arthur Flour is the spon-
sor of both contests.
Dewey Hall's contest is a fundraiser for the Sheffield Friendly
Union, stewards of the hall. All pie lovers are invited, with an
entry fee of $5. People will receive ballots at the door to vote
for up to five different pies.The pie receiving the most votes wins.
First prize is a $75 gift certificate. Second and third place winners will get
certificates for $50 and $25, respectively.
After the prizes are awarded, everyone is welcome to eat more pie or buy
pies to bring home.
Last year, 35 pies were baked for the Dewey Hall contest. Savory entries
included a spaghetti pie, a tomato pie, a shepherd's pie, a Canadian meat pie and
three vegan pies. Dessert pies accounted for most of the entries.They included
plum, lemon meringue, apple, pumpkin, berry, cherry, various cream pies and a big
chocolate chip cookie in the shape of a pie — Ken Terry
OLD PARISH ONCE AGAIN RAFFLES A QUILT
The 20™ annual raffle quilt by the
quilters at Old Parish is a queen-size
handquilted beauty based on the
traditional "Snowball pattern". This
version has 168 colored balls and has
been named "Gum Balls". The colorful
quilt is reversible with a quiet creamy
side that really shows the hand quilting.
Quilters Sandra Alden, Teddi Batac-
chi, Marcia Brolli, Dor Caul, Jo Elling,
Anne Hyatt, Marion Whitman and
other Old Parish members will be there
with chances for you to win!
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FAIR, from page 7
the Lucky Five playing "swingin jazz" in
the tradition of 1920s, 30s and 40s jazz.
This concert kicks off the 2012-2013
season of the Dewey Hall Folk Series
(see page 5 for more). It's the sixth sea-
son for the popular concerts, which fea-
ture regional favorites and artists with
national followings.
Dewey Hall is named for Orville
Dewey, a Unitarian minister and au-
thor born in Sheffield in 1794. After he
retired in 1862, he devoted himself to
community projects, one of which was
founding the Sheffield Friendly Union
Library Association to "increase good
and kindly feelings and to promote intel-
ligence and cheerfulness". After his death
in 1882, his friends raised money to
build the hall as a home for the Friendly
Union Association.
FAIR CONTACTS
For more about the Fair, the Show-
manship & Fitting Competition or to
inquire about vendor and exhibitor
space, contact Kathy Orlando at
229-8789 sheffieldfair@gmail.com
and see coupon below. For the Food
Court, contact Barb Davidson at
229-809 1 . For the Apple Pie Contest,
contact Jennifer Gaenzle Smith at
413-329-6580 or email to Jennifer©
gaenzle.org and see coupon below.
APPLE PIE CONTEST ENTRY FORM
Pies must arrive by 12 noon forjudging by 3pm.
Pies must be in a non-returnable pan, wrapped in a
clear plastic bag, with a written list of ingredients. No
food mixes.
Pies will be judged on appearance, aroma, flakiness
of crust and taste, judges' decisions are final.
To register, mail coupon to: Jennifer Gaenzle Smith,
RQ Box 625, Sheffield, MA 1 257
Questions? Call Jennifer at 4 1 3-329-6580
or email her at jennifer@gaenzle.org.
Category
□ Junior (ages 1 7 or younger) □ Adult ( 1 8 to 59) □ Senior (60 and up)
Name
Address
Phone
Email
VENDOR ENTRY FORM
Limited tables and tents available on a first-come, first-
serve basis to those who register in advance.
Call for pricing.
Make checks payable to "Sheffield Association"
with a notation for "Sheffield Fain"
Sheffield Fair • September 8, 20 1 2
RQ Box 1 339, Sheffield, MA 1 257
229-8789 • sheffieldfair@gmail.com.
Name
Address
Phone
as you would like it to appear in print
Business name
Email
What is your product/exhibit?
Enclosed is
□ $ 1 for single space ( I Ox 1 0)
□ $20 for double space ( 1 0x20)
%
Community News
LIME KILNS: BURNING ROCKS
More than 10,000 years ago, lime was
discovered, perhaps when prehistoric
people noticed that a particular kind of
rock exposed to fire fell apart into dust,
and that the dust when mixed with
water formed a paste that soon returned
to rock. From then on, lime produc-
tion hearths have been found wherever
humanity attempted to build with mate-
rials more durable than mud and wattles.
How to burn limestone chunks so
they become lime dust came to Sheffield
with its European immigrants, who used
it in masonry, in making low-carbon iron
and steel, as a flux in glass production and
in agriculture. In Sheffield, two kiln ruins
and their adjacent quarries remain. One
is in the woods by the north side of Lime
Kiln Rd., between Sheffield-Egremont
Rd. and Route 7. The other is part of the
Audubon Lime Kiln Farm Sanctuary off
of Silver St.
Both kilns were built adjacent to
weathered limestone outcroppings, where
simple tools could follow the deep cracks
that made it relatively easy to pry out
limestone as chunks and blocks. The
stones were loaded into skips and carts
and sent to the kiln.
The limestone outcroppings are rem-
nants of the ancient seas that once cov-
ered western Massachusetts. Hundreds
of millions of years ago, shell-producing
organisms died and precipitated deep
calcium-rich layers to the seafloor, which
then were buried deeply and heated into
limestone. Around the seas vast sand
dunes accumulated and were also buried
and heated, becoming quartzite.
Geological uplifting followed by ero-
sion and the glaciers of ice ages scoured
away the overburden, leaving behind
durable quartzite hilltops as found on
Mount Everett, Tom Ball Mountain,
and Squaw Peak, and adjacent lime-
stone valley knolls and floors still mined
throughout Sheffield and Berkshire and
Litchfield Counties.
Empedocles, a Greek poet and
scientist who lived between 482 and 426
BC in the Sicilian town of Agrigento,
may have first described the cycle of lime
in his book Nature. He writes, "There is
some magic in collecting a stone from the
land, which demolished by fire, molded
with water and with exposure to air
[again becomes] a solid as hard as the
starting stone." — Fred Harwood
CHURCH HOLDS SILENT AUCTION OCT. 6
Christ Church Episcopal & Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its 1 3 th Annual Silent
Auction on Sat., Oct. 6, from 8am to 3pm. Items include antiques, collectibles, art,
jewelry, household and garden items, gift certificates from local businesses, restau-
rants and cultural venues. Homemade lunch is available from I lam-2pm. House bids
can be left until noon. Free admission and lots of free parking. Successful bidders
will be notified by phone; pickup is on Sat. or Sun. morning.
Easier to see when the leaves are down: the
old lime kiln off Lime Kiln Rd, above, and
at Lime Kiln Farm Sanctuary, below.
PRECISION
AUTOCRAFT inc.
HIGH QUALITY BODY REPAIR & FINISHING
Complete Collision • Paint • Glass Services
Laser Frame Measuring
Computer Controlled Estimating and Paint Mixing Systems
THOMAS M. ANDRUS
Rt. 7, 1939 No. Main St., Sheffield MA 01257
(413)528-1457 1-800-734-1457
Fax (413)528-0186 • precision.auto@roadrunner.com
New England's Largest Selection
of Unique Lumber and Burls
Specializing in Slabs up to T wide
Exotic Lumber
Figured Lumber
Natural Edge Slabs
Quartersawn Lumber
Wide Pine Flooring
Bookmatched Sets
Mantels
Turning Stock
Tonewood
Burls
Berkshire Products, Inc.
884 Ashley Falls Rd, Sheffield, MA
413-229-7919
www.BerkshireProducts.com
M-F 8:00 - 4:30; Sat 8:00-Noon
FARMERS' MARKET NOW
The Sheffield Farmers' Market has had
such a successful season that the vendors
have asked to extend the market through
Fri., Sept. 21. Look for some fall veg-
etables during those added weeks!
Our first Corn Fest, held Aug. 17,
was also a great success. Special thanks to
Old Parish Church for letting the market
expand to include the north, grassy side
of the church. Thanks also to the Farmers'
Market donors and the Berkshire Taconic
Community Foundation.
It was a beautiful day, with lots of
children participating with parents or
grandparents. The Sheffield Historical
Society offered free popcorn to go along
with their exhibit of political cartoons in
the Old Stone Store. Singer Abby Lap-
pen performed children's music that had
everyone singing along. Our local clowns
"Zeke" and "Toots" provided corny jokes.
Bobbing-for-corn proved to be a very
popular, albeit wet sport, as were the
TO RUN TO SEPT. 21
burlap bag races and wheelbarrow races.
Everyone tried their hand at Corn Hole,
a beanbag throw. There was face painting.
Best of all, Rosie, a Guernsey calf, and
Jason, a goat, were tethered under a tree,
quietly munching on hay
while enjoying all of the
petting they received.
Over on the market
side there was Howden
Farm selling sweet corn,
of course. Also for sale:
elotes, Mexican-style
corn-on-the-cob served
on a stick with special
toppings, and corn salsas
and salads galore.
Corn Fest was the first
of many extra events that
the Sheffield Farmers'
Market hopes to produce
in this and future seasons.
— Trudy Weaver Miller
ART LEAGUE SHOW AT
LENOX LIBRARY
The Housatonic Valley Art League
will hang its annual Small Works
Show in the Welles Gallery at the
Lenox Library during the month of
October.The gallery is open Thurs-
days to Sundays and on Monday Oct.
8. Join us for the opening reception
of Sat, Oct. 6, from 4 to 6pm.
DEWEY HALL FOLK MUSIC SERIES
The Folk Music Series kicks off its new season on Sat,
Sept 8, at 7:30pm.The concert featuring Kip Beacco and
his band The Lucky Five, also celebrates Dewey Hall's
I25 tn anniversary. Search for "Beacco Lucky Five" on
YouTube for a taste.
In October and November, Folk Music Series shows
are on the first Friday instead of Saturday. On Fri., Oct 5,
at 7:30pm, Robert Oakes and Katherine Smith perform a
mix of acoustic folk and pop. www.oakesandsmith.net
On Fri., Nov. 2, at 7:30pm, David Reed presents an
intimate evening of original and highly eclectic rigamarole.
www.myspace.com/doctoreasymusic.
Dewey Hall is an acoustically superior hall with an
intimate, family-friendly atmosphere. Light refreshments
available. Suggested donation $ 1 members, $ 1 5 all oth-
ers. 9 1 Main Street Sheffield. www.DeweyHall.com.
I
l
Sheffield Kiwanis
3 rd Annual
Harvest Brunch
Sunday, Oct. 28
9:30am - 12:30pm
American Legion Hall, Sheffield
Raising funds for Warm the Children
Silent Auction & 50/50 Raffle
New this year: Chinese Auction
Tickets: $10 & $5 (kids 4-12 yrs)
Kids under 4 — free
OCTOBER 20 AT i PM
I
Buy your tickets at: Silks, Gulotta's, JTC & Sons,
I I
| Berkshire Styles, Shear Image, PJ's, Smitty's, Sears, |
GoodWorks Insurance or from any Kiwanian.
Please join us for great food & a great time! |
Sheffield^ „
TjmdTrast
SHEFFIELD LAND TRUST
FALL PROPERTY WALK
TAKE A WALK ON PRIVATE, CONSERVED LAND
WITH NATURIST RENE WENDELL AS GUIDE!
l*)a£cih -for dentals c/os&t to the. date..
/MMw/////yy/M^^^^
■"*
Community News
■^:^B>
LIBBY O'CONNOR: HISTORY BACK TO BARNARD AND ASHLEY
Ashley Falls resident Elisabeth
O'Connor, more familiarly known as
Libby, has been coming to the Berkshires
all her life. Her family background is
intricately interlinked with the history of
Sheffield, going back to the earliest set-
tlers including, on the paternal side, the
Ashley family.
Growing up in New York City, Libby
spent summers here in her grandmother's
home, Netherby Hall on Main St.,
which is now the home of antiquarian
bookseller Rusty Mott and his wife, Veta.
The house was built circa 1790-1800 by
HISTORICAL SOCIETYTALK
ON THE BARNARD BROTHERS
On Fri., Sept. 14, Gerald (Rory)
O'Connor, one of General Barnard's
surviving great grandsons and Libby
O'Connor's cousin, will present a
program for the Sheffield Historical
Society on "Historic Barnard Broth-
ers of Sheffield." To hear more about
the illustrious careers of Civil War
Brigadier-General John Gross Barnard
and Columbia president Frederick
A.P. Barnard come to Dewey Hall at
7:30pm. The program is free and open
to the public.
Azariah Root, and came into the Barnard
family through marriage; it remained in
the family until the 1950s.
Libby s great great grandfather, Robert
F. Barnard, was a Sheffield lawyer and
several times state senator. He and Augusta
Porter Barnard had three children, Sarah,
Frederick and John. Sarah married a sena-
tor and the sons became two of Sheffield's
most illustrious citizens.
The elder son, Frederick A.P. Barnard,
was born in 1809, graduated from Yale
College and, after a remarkable career
that included the presidency of the
American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, was elected 10th presi-
dent of Columbia College in May 1864.
Lillian E. Preiss's book, Sheffield: Frontier
Town, notes that Frederick Barnard made
a determined effort to allow women to be
admitted to Columbia, which ultimately
resulted in the establishment of the
affiliated college for women, Barnard Col-
lege, named in honor of its enthusiastic
advocate. This was the college his descen-
dant Libby was to attend, earning a B.A.
in Liberal Arts with a concentration on
history. The stone memorial chapel in
Sheffield's Center Cemetery on Berkshire
School Rd. was built by Columbia in
honor of Frederick and Augusta Barnard
in 1893.
Second son John Gross Barnard had
a similarly stellar career. After attending
the United States Military Academy at
West Point, where he served for a time
as an instructor, he became active in the
Mexican War, supervising the construc-
tion of defenses. He was a talented engi-
neer, being an expert in the gyroscope.
His experience took him to the nation's
capital where he became chief engi-
neer of the Army of the Potomac and
served in the campaigns of Manassas,
the Virginia Peninsula and Richmond
j£/£r :: 3J?2i?t^fc
^M
w8
The Sheffield farmers' Market
is extended into September!
*&
fridays 2:30-6:30pm through September 21 P"» RAIN or SHINE
Old Parish Church parking lot, Main St.— Rte 7
www.thesheffieldfarmersmarket.com
LIVE MUSIC! Moon in the Pond farm. Howden farm. Your Spice of Life,
Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Earthborn Garden, Bill's Busy Bees. Ingleside
farm, Hosta Hill Provisions, Community Cooperative farm, and more!
and the siege of
Petersburg. He
masterminded
the First Battle of
Bull Run, which,
although result-
ing in a rout of ^ e Barnard brothers:
Northern soldiers, Frederick Barnard
was described by ahove > General John
General Sher- Barnard below.
man as being
one of the best
planned battles
of the war. From
1864 to 1865 he
was on General
Grant's staff as
chief engineer
of the Armies
in the Field and
was cited five
times for "gallant
and meritorious
services" in both the Mexican War and
the Civil War. The town memorial park
just north of the green in Sheffield
includes a memorial to these remark-
able Sheffield brothers.
Returning to his Sheffield birthplace, <■
General Barnard and his wife, Anna,
continued their tradition of service,
being instrumental in establishing the
Episcopal Church in Sheffield, with early
meetings being held in Anna's father-in-
law's law office, just across Main St. from
the site of the present Christ Church.
One of the Tiffany windows in
that church is in memory of Libby
O'Connor's great-grandmother Anna.
Anna Barnard was also involved in
establishing the Pine Knoll Association,
which created the small park behind the
building that is currently the Sheffield
Library and where the original towering
pines are still seen today.
Libby notes another link to the
library — two military uniforms of
the Barnard family. When the attic of
Netherby Hall was cleared out in 1939,
two uniforms were discovered, one
belonging to General Barnard and the
other to his son, Jack, who attended the
U.S. Naval Academy and was involved in
the Spanish-American War. There being
no Sheffield Historical Society at the
time, the uniforms were donated to the
Sheffield Library. Librarian Nancy Hahn
is currently having them restored, after
which they will be on display.
With such energetic and illustrious
ancestors, it is no wonder that Libby has
had a rich and rewarding life. Following
graduation from Barnard College, she
worked on Town and Country magazine
in New York. When Netherby Hall was
sold in the 1950s, her response was to
leave the country and go to Paris for two
years/just for fun." There, she worked for
Realite magazine but, when she heard that
Ludwig Bemelmans, author of the classic
children's book Madeleine, was opening a
restaurant in the Isle de la Cite, she put in
a stint as his bartender.
Returning to New York, she became,
as she puts it, a jack of all trades," doing
publicity for prominent New York res-
taurants such as The Colony, Quo Vadis
and the Italian
Pavilion.
While much
of her early
work was
editorial —
she was on
the staff of
Gourmet mag-
azine — she
later became
involved in
fund-raising
with a focus on non-profit and women's
issues. She spent 40 years in the field,
retiring at the age of 81.
A resident of Sheffield for the past
25 years, she started living full time in
Ashley Falls five years ago. Libby speaks
A rare photo of the Barnard brothers at Niagara Fails. John is fourth
from left, next to his sister Sarah. Frederick is on the right.
which she rode on Sheffield's dirt roads.
Libby continues to remain actively
engaged in the community, serving on the
board of directors of the Sheffield Land
Trust, playing tennis each week and taking
Pilates classes. The vibrancy and energy of
about how she, like many, are drawn back the Ashley/Barnard/O'Connor ancestors
to Sheffield, which has changed remark- is clearly evident in this Sheffield citizen
ably little over her lifetime. She fondly with remarkable links to Sheffield's past,
recalls the polo pony of her girlhood, — Dr. Gillian R. Hettinger
Barnbrook
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271 Main Street
Great Barrington
413.528.4423
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Community News
THE MAGIC ON ROUTE 7
It's been nearly two years since the Magic
Fluke Ukulele Co. came to Sheffield. The
company, which manufactures and sells
ukuleles and related products, is located
just south of the town center on Route 7.
Phyllis and Dale Webb, the owners,
officially opened on January 1, 2011. They
beam building next to Cupboards
and Roses Antiques. "The structure
was virtually brand-new and spot-
less," said Dale, "We only needed
to do some minor modifications to
make it suitable for our needs."
One addition to the building
moved their factory here from New Hart- was an array of solar panels to the
ford, CT, choosing the Southern Berk-
shires because its cultural richness and
diversity was ideal for a music business.
They bought Mike Shiels's post and
south side roof. The 10 kilowatt photo-
voltaic array was installed by Real Goods
Solar, an American company that uses all
American-made parts. The panels provide
PICKING UP AN INSTRUMENT
The Webbs now offer ukulele lessons in their shop. Rob Sanzone and Michael
Doerr, who both work at the Magic Fluke, give private and group lessons. Rob also
teaches a free ukulele class at the Berkshire South Community Center on Thursday
nights from 6:30 to 8pm. Anyone who doesn't have his or her own instrument can
use a Fluke or Flea provided by the Webbs.
OnTues., Nov. 1 3, there will be a ukulele workshop at the Route 7 facility taught
by U.I' Rev, a musician renown in the ukulele world. He will follow the workshop
with a short concert. Phyllis hopes this will be just the first of many events they will
bring to the southern Berkshires.
The Magic Fluke building on Route 7.
all the electricity for the entire facility. "Our
ukuleles," Dale says, "are proudly made in
the USA, in the tropical' state of Massa-
chusetts — powered by the sun!"
After the move, the Webbs hired six
new employees, all from the Southern
Berkshires. Three of their New Hartford
employees stayed with them and com-
mute daily from the Torrington, CT, area.
Though they were looking for people used
to working with their hands, the ability to
work well as a team was even more impor-
tant. "What we need in our workshop,"
Dale said, "is harmony — the ability to be
in tune with one another."
After living in the Magic Fluke build-
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, OCTOBER 6 from 8am - 3pm
Make this your first stop!
SILENT AUCTION
Hundreds of lots!
Antiques * Silver & Glass *
China * Art * Jewelry * Collectibles *
Household & Garden * Delicious Food *
Gift Certificates from
Berkshire Businesses, Restaurants, Services,
Theaters, Travel, Cultural Events & more.
Purple Tent Cash-&-Carry
High-End Tag Sale
Furniture Tent Cash-&-Carry
Christ Episcopal & Trinity Lutheran Church
Route 7 & Maple Avenue
FREE parking * FREE admission
Lunch Served
Leave your HOUSE BIDS 'til NOON!
We'll execute your bids
while you enjoy the rest of the day.
Successful bidders notified by phone for Oct. 6 & 7 pickup.
RNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
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Phone: (413) 528-0630
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8
COMMUNITY MUSIC AT DEWEY HALL
On Fri., Sept. 21, Music in Common presents FODfest ("FOD" for "Friends of
Daniel Pearl"), a community concert featuring area musicians and students from Mt.
Everett High School at 7pm at Dewey Hall. The students have participated in the
organization's MiC Youth Program, in which students work with industry profes-
sionals to write, record and perform a song together and to film and edit a music
video of the song. The program takes place in September at Mt. Everett and the Off
the Beat-n-Track Recording Studio in Sheffield.
At the concert, the students will perform their song and premiere their music
video. It will also feature Jim and Liz Beloff playing Fluke and Flea ukes and many
other musicians.As a fundraiser for the program, dinner will be available for pur-
chase. The concert itself is free and open to the public For more information, please
visit www.musicincommon.org or email info@musicincommon.org.
ing for a time — they sold their New Hart-
ford home more quickly than they thought
they would — the Webbs found a house on
Root Lane. Dale is helping remodel it and
build a new garage and home workshop.
They also bought adjacent acreage that
was the last undivided part of the former
Cosgrifffarm. The red dairy barn and the
tractor on the corner of Root Lane and
Salisbury Rd. came with that property.
They plan to fix up the barn. Dale and his
three sons removed all the old vines from
the tractor, a decades-long icon on that
corner, so it can now be seen again. They
plan to leave it right where it is.
From knowing almost no one, the
Webbs and their sons now have a wide
circle of friends. The Webbs are members
of the Sheffield Business Association and
the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Com-
merce. Recently, the Kiwanis Club invited
Phyllis to speak to them about their
company. During the summer, the Webbs
lent two of their ukes to the Barrington
Stage Festival's production of "A Thousand
Clowns" which the two lead characters
played during the performance.
Phyllis has joined the board of Music in
Common, an organization started by Todd
Mack in memory of his friend Daniel Pearl,
the Wall Street Journal reporter who was
murdered by Al-Qaeda in Pakistan in 2002.
The group's goal is to bring communities
together through music. A concert featuring
the local community will be on Sept. 21
(see box above).
Their sons attend public and private
schools. The youngest, Sam, goes to
Undermountain Elementary School and
the middle one, Ben, attends Mt. Everett
High School. Josh, their oldest, is going
to be a senior at The Millbrook School in
Millbrook, NY.
Even as the Webbs were busy getting
their business and family settled, they
were working on ideas and plans for more
"magic" happening at The Magic Fluke Co.
The Webbs' company actually com-
prises three businesses. The Magic Fluke
Co. manufactures ukuleles, selling mostly
to wholesalers throughout the world. The
sister company, Flea Market Music, sells
directly to customers on-line. And at the
end of 2011, they opened a retail store in
part of the building on Route 7.
Phyllis says that people just stop by to see
the store and the factory, thrilled that such
a "fun" business is here in their town. "Folks
say that they couldn't wait to come in and see
what we do. And some of them decide on
the spot to buy a ukulele," she says.
The Magic Fluke is now the largest
manufacturer of ukuleles in the conti-
nental United States. Its products so far
include the Flea, the
smallest uke; the
Fluke, which is mid-
sized; and the Firefly,
which is banjo -like.
Each can be bought
with a variety of
electronic options, fret
boards and design and
material upgrades.
Further customization
is also possible.
Dale takes pride
in using local vendors
and materials. Next
year, Dale will be mak-
ing a new model, an electric uke, from wood
harvested on his own property in Sheffield.
The recent resurgence of the ukuleles
popularity throughout the world has
brought Magic Fluke orders from person-
alities such as Tony Danza, Jack Johnson,
Bruce Willis and Sybil Shepherd. Bette
Midler ordered one of Magic Flukes' first
custom ukes, a pink Swarovski crystal-
encrusted Flea that she used on stage. On
a recent Today show, she explained that
she was selling part of her costume and
stage collection for charity, and she showed
the crystal Flea that was being auctioned
off. Midler went on to say that she gave an
identical one, but without the jewels," to
President Obama's daughters.
— Judith Scbumer
Bette Midler and
her jeweled Flea.
ROAST PORK DINNER
with all the fixin's
Saturday, October 20, 5-7pm
at the TRINITY METHODIST
CHURCH (UMC) in Ashley Falls
Adults $10, children 10 and under $6
Come Join us for a great meal!
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Library News
COMING THIS FALL
ACTIVITIES AT THE LIBRARY
After taking some rime off for the summer,
clubs and activities are starting up at the
Library. New this fall: a club for Lego fans.
Sit & knit. Like to knit or always
wanted to learn? Join the group. It meets
every Wednesday from 6 to 8pm.
Book club. The Library's book club
meets on the first Thursday of every
month from 1 to 2:30pm. The October
book is This Side of Brightness by Colum
McCann, to be discussed Oct. 4. Novem-
ber's book is Pete Hamill's Forever. Call
Jill at 229-2761 for more information.
Beginning yoga. The Library offers
classes with two teachers. All ages and
abilities are welcome.
Lisa's basic yoga flow class meets
Tuesdays, 6 to 7pm, followed by a breath-
ing/meditation class from 7 to 7:30. Try
one or stay for both. Call Lisa weekdays
from 10am to 5pm at 413 298-3579 '
x25210 for more information.
Michelle's beginner's yoga class meets
on Thursdays, 6 to 7:30pm. Call Michelle
at 413-637-0272 or contact the library at
229-7004 with any questions.
Poetry read around. Share your
enjoyment of poetry. The "read around"
meets one Saturday a month from 3:30
to 5pm. Next meetings: Sept. 22, Oct.
27. Bring your own poems or favorites by
other poets. In September, the works of
Jane Hirshfield will be read; in October,
those of Natasha Threthewey.
Chess club and Scrabble club for kids.
Meetings will resume after school starts.
Lego Club. This new group will
meets weekly on Tuesdays, 11am to
noon. No registration is required. Call
229-7004 for more information.
Preschooler programs. The Com-
munity Health Program's Sing A Song
playgroup will resume on Thurs., Sept.
13, 10-ll:30am. Storytime for preschool-
ers: watch for an announcement for the
fall schedule.
Oct. 5. Kathie Dean presents a talk on
"Using Our E-Library." Learn how to
borrow digital books and much more!
At 6:30pm.
Oct. 1 4. Jessica Treat: Writing Work-
shop. Treat's stories, poems and
essays have appeared in numerous
journals and anthologies, including
Ms., American Literary Review, and
The Americas Review. A professor of
English and Spanish at Northwestern
Connecticut Community College, she
also coordinates the annual Mad River
Literary Festival.
Oct. 22. Simon Winchester: Book Talk.
Winchester will be talking about and
reading from his new book Skulls:An
Exploration of Alan Dudley's Curious
Collection at 6:30pm, Sun., Oct. 22. Alan
Dudley was a British taxidermist who
amassed one of the world's largest
collections of animal skulls. Win-
chester uses the collection to explore
the science and culture of skulls. With
photos of more than 300 skulls.
November 1 7. Local Authors Day.
SANDRA PRESTON REAL ESTATE
Massachusetts, Connecticut & New York Properties
Representing Buyers and Sellers in the Tri-
State area for over 30 years. If you are plan-
ning to buy or sell, please contact us. Our
office is open 7 days a week. We are members
of the Berkshire Board of Realtors and their
Multiple Listing Service as well as the Litch-
field County Board and their MLS. Visit our
website at www.sandraprestonrealestate.com,
e-mail: pressa@verizon.net, or just call us at
413-229-2077.
575 Sheffield Plain, (Route 7)
Sheffield, MA 01 257
Sandra Preston, Broker, GRI, CRS
07ie
fffi2&tot*icat ^Society
^&
Collecting, Preserving and Transmitting
Sheffield's History for the Future
The 1774 Dan Raymond House Museum offers tours
May through September. Come explore the daily lives of
common people from the Revolutionary generation onward,
including the intriguing history of the Sheffield Tory for
whom the house is named.
The Mark Dewey Research Center houses the town's early
archives, including tax and real estate records, historic
photographs, and genealogical research. Open most
Mondays and Fridays, from 1:30 to 4pm, year round.
The 1834 Old Stone Store located on the Town Green func-
tions as the Society's gift shop and exhibition space. Open
weekends April to December.
159 Main Street • PO Box 747 • Sheffield, MA 01257
413.229.2694 • shs@sheffieldhistory.org
www.SheffieldHistory.org
10
GEARING UP FOR THE ANNUAL BOOK SALE
Think of it as a new three Rs: Recycle,
Reread, Rewarding. One of the major
fundraisers for the Library is the October
book sale, organized by the Friends of
the Bushnell-Sage Library. The Friends,
a nonprofit organization, support the
Library by purchasing materials and
furniture, organizing programs like Local
Authors Day and funding projects like
the patio outside the downstairs Com-
munity Room.
Anyone can join the group by donat-
ing $20 or more a year. One benefit of
membership is being invited to the special
Book Sale Preview. This year' it's on Fri.,
Oct. 26, from 6 to 8pm. You can join the
Friends at the door.
The public book sale will be on Sat.,
Oct. 27, from 10am to 4pm and on
Sun., Oct 28, from 12 to 4. Proceeds
benefit Library programs.
Throughout the year, the Library
receives boxes and boxes of donated
books from generous patrons. The
books are reviewed, and some are
added to the Library's collection.
But most are sorted to be sold at the
annual book sale, a fun event with more
than 15,000 books in more than 35 catego-
ries. Many are priced as low as $1. All the
books were donated since last year's sale.
In addition to thousands of books, there
are some CDs and DVDs. On Sunday
afternoon prices drop for clearance. Pay-
ment is cash or check, no credit cards.
The Friends actively seek book dona-
tions all year. Donors receive a confirma-
tion letter for their gifts for tax purposes
in January. Call 229-7004 for book
donations, or mail contributions to: The
Friends of the Bushnell-Sage Library,
P.O. Box 487, Sheffield, MA 01257.
The Friends currently have some 300
members. All are welcome at the monthly
meetings at the Library on the second
Saturday of the month at 9am.
THE BUSHNELL-SAGE LIBRARY
Just off Route 7 in Sheffield 4 1 3-229-7004
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 1 0-5; Fri. 10-8;
Sat. 10-5, Sun 2-5; Mon. closed
HELP DIGITIZE THEAURIGAN
Thanks to a grant from the Mas-
sachusetts Board of Library Com-
missioners, the Bushnell-Sage Library
has embarked on a project to digitize
yearbooks from Mt. Everett High
School. We are looking for Aurigans
from these years: 1 963, 1 964, 1 977,
1982, 1984, 1986, 1987-89, 1991, 1997,
1 999-20 1 2. (Books will be returned.)
If you have a yearbook from one
of those years, we'd appreciate its
loan. The Boston Public Library will do
the scanning and make the informa-
tion available online. The project is
funded through the federal Libary
Services and Technology Act.
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Church News
OLD PARISH CHURCH INHERITS A SAILBOAT
In the Bible, the words "ruach" or'pneuma" mean "wind" or
"spirit," and are frequently used to describe the way God acts.
So it should not be all that surprising that Old Parish Church
now owns a sailboat and its name is "Spirit." More interesting,
perhaps, is how this happened. One of the Church's parishio-
ners with an interest in sailing noticed an ad on the Internet
from someone who wanted
to sell a wood Lightning
class sailboat for $1,500
but who would be willing
to donate it to a legitimate
non-profit.
In church, a negotia-
tion followed. Yes, there
was interest in owning a
sailboat; yes, its insurance
agent believed it was an
acceptable ministry activity.
So an email was sent to
the seller, who lived in
Saratoga, NY. Within 30
minutes, an agreement
was reached. Spirit was
launched June 10 in Lake
Garfield in Monterey.
Why would a church
want a sailboat? Some find
it a way of reducing stress, of setting aside the problems of the
world. Others see it as a prototype of life lessons: we speak of
people being rudderless, we encourage them to keep an even
keel. "Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray,"
we sing. We are reminded that a life well lived is flexible, adjust-
ing sail by watching the wind. And some just want to have fun.
Interest among Old Parish church members is particularly great
among those who have sailed in the past.
As the Rev. Jill Graham encouraged her parishioners,
Spirit on Lake Garfield.
"Get ready to sail on the winds of the Spirit! May the
winds of resurrection fill your sails, energize your souls and
empower your lives!" — John G. Wightman
ORDINATION AT OLD PARISH
Laura N. O'Shaughnessy was ordained to the Christian min-
istry of the United Church of Christ on July 29 at Old Parish
Church, where she has been an active member of the congre-
gation for the past few years.
Parishioners, family, clergy and
representatives from United
Church of Christ congrega-
tions in Berkshire County
attended the gala event.
Ordination usually
occurs when a candidate
is in his or her 20s. What
makes O'Shaughnessy's story
interesting is that she was in
her mid-60s. For most of her
career O'Shaughnessy was
a college professor, teach-
ing for over 30 years at St. Lawrence University in Canton,
NY.AIong the way she married, had two children and was
widowed. She also has four grandchildren.
Her spiritual quest began in 1 999 after feeling God's
call to become a minister at a retreat. She simplified her
life, turning down opportunities for other employment and
elective office. Eventually she entered Colgate Rochester
Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY, where she gradu-
ated with an M.Div. degree in 2008. In 2004 she served in a
supervised ministry position at Old Parish Church with Rev.
Art Kaufman.
O'Shaughnessy has accepted a call to become an assis-
tant chaplain at St. Lawrence University for one year.Then
she will return to the Berkshires to consider other avenues
of service. — John Wightman
Laura O'Shaughnessy
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
ASHLEY FALLS
Greenwoods Community Church (non-denominational), 355 Clayton Rd.
229-8560; parsonage (860) 824-7442. Sunday: 9:30am Sunday School (ages 3-adult);
10:30am Worship Service, nursery care provided. Rev. Edward M. Eastman Jr., Pastor
Trinity Methodist (United Methodist Church), 1156 Ashley Falls Rd. 518-329-
3606. www.ashleyfallsumc.org. Sunday: 11am Worship Service. Ken Phesay, Pastor.
EGREMONT
First Congregational Church of South Egremont, 34 Main St. 528-2209. Sunday
Worship: 10am. Rev. Steven Blackburn and Rev. Susan Wyman, Supply Pastors.
GREAT BARRINGTON
Congregation Ahavath Shalom (reconstructionist), North St. 528-4197. Friday,
8pm & Saturday, 10am. Services not held every week. Schedules are updated on
answering machine
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Rd. 528-6378. Friday: 7:30pm Shabbat
Service. Saturday: 10am Shabbat service & Torah study. Rabbi Deborah Zecher,
Associate Rabbi An Rosenberg
SHEFFIELD
Christ Church Episcopal & Trinity Lutheran, 180 Main St. 229-88 11. Sunday:
8am & 10am Holy Eucharist; 10am Sunday School & child care; Thursday: 10am Holy
Eucharist & Healing. Rev. Anne Ryder
Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Route 7 & Kellogg Rd. 229-8649. The
public is welcome.
Old Parish (United Church of Christ), 125 Main St. 229-8173. Sunday: 10am
Worship. Rev. Jill Graham, Pastor
Our Lady of the Valley (Catholic), Maple Ave. 229-3028. Saturday: 4:00pm Mass;
Sunday: Sheffield 7:30am, 9am Masses; Mill River 10:30 Mass. Rev. Bruce Teague
Sheffield Chapel (non-denominational), 1970 N. Main St. 528-2911, www.shef-
fieldchapel.org. Sunday: 10:45am Worship, 9:30am Sunday School for all ages. Wed.:
Group Prayer Time 7pm. Pastor: Corey McLaughlin
12
THE FRIENDS OF THE SENIOR CENTER
GOOD SAMARITAN FUND BENEFIT
The Woods Tea Company is coming to town again. On Sun.
Oct. 28, at 2pm, Tom MacKenzie and Patti Casey, with guest
fiddler Eric Martin, will perform at the Old Parish Church
in the center of town. During intermission, there will refresh-
ments and CDs for sale. After the concert there will be an "After
Glow" where everyone can bring their instruments — ukulele,
harmonica, fiddle, guitar, spoons, whatever — and music to
share with each other.
A freewill offering will benefit the Good Samaritan Fund,
the emergency needs fund for Sheffield area residents. This
concert provides about one-third of what the fund usually
needs for the year.
Patty and Tom will visit Undermountain Elementary
School on Mon., Oct. 29, for a performance and workshop
showcasing the songs and instruments of old-time folk music.
Patty plays flute, penny whistle, guitar, voice and clogboard,
the Canadian-style foot accompaniment. Tom plays hammered
dulcimer, banjo, guitar, piano, ukulele and voice.
The event is produced by the Friendly Union, Old Par-
ish Church, the Mission Committee of Old Parish Church,
community volunteers and Undermountain Elementary school
volunteers. Pauline W. Schumann is co-chair of the Festival.
Questions can be directed to bevrkil9@aol.com.
In July, beautiful, state of the art window treatments were
installed at the Sheffield Senior Center, thanks to a collabora-
tion between the Friends and the Town of Sheffield. Now the
main room can be darkened for movies and presentations
with the pull of a string or the press of a button — the treat-
ments for the large window and the small high-up windows
are operated by remote control.
Sheffield in Celebration. The Friends are working
with the Commission on Disabilities on a booth for the Shef-
field Fair on Sept. 8.There will be baked goods and bever-
ages for sale with free popcorn and an information table
from SHINE (Senior Health insurance Counseling). Anyone
interested in donating baked goods can bring their items to
the Senior Center on Fri., Sept. 7.
Cookbook. The Friends are putting together a cook-
book as a fundraising venture. We 're looking for favorite
recipes from all of our Sheffield friends. Drop off a recipe at
the Senior Center and get your name in our cookbook!
Christmas and Crafts Fair. On Dec. 2, the Friends will
hold its first Christmas and Crafts Fair.Anyone interested
in setting up a table to sell their handcrafted items can call
George Oleen (229-6670), Kathy Cashiola (229-2774) or
Claudia Martin (229-287 1 ). Rates: $20 for a card table, $25
for a six-foot table, $30 for an eight-foot table. Look for
more details in the next issue of the Sheffield Times.
Stop by the Senior Center anytime to join in the many
fun activities, to work on a puzzle or to just visit! Or visit
us on the web at SheffieldSeniorCenterFriends.weebly.com.
Hope to see you soon! — Claudia Martin
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Village Green
FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MINUTES
June 18 working meeting
The Board discussed the search for a replacement for Jim
McGarry, the retiring police chief. The Board agreed to post the
positions of Acting Chief and Officer in Charge at the Police
Station and ask John Ullrich to serve on a search committee.
Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard gave an overview
of the Hanlon Land Court appeal [a 1996 Zoning Board decision],
the Building Inspectors ruling and the Zoning Board of Appeals
ruling. The Board agreed to consult with legal counsel.
June 18 regular meeting
Town boards and officers. The Board approved these appoint-
ments at this and the July 16 and August 6 meetings:
Tammy Blackwell
Felecie Joyce
Jill Hughes
John James and Colin Smith
John Arthur Miller
Thomas Carmody
Kopelman 8C Paige
D.M. Moschos
3-year term as Principal Assessor
3 -year term as Town Clerk
3 -year term as Asst. Town Clerk
3 -year terms to the Finance Committee
1-year term as Senior Center Director
2-year term as Building Inspector
1-year term as Town Counsel
1-year term as Special Town Counsel
The Board approved Ryan Kresiak, Jacob Gonska, Brian Fahey,
Eric Munson and Susan Rathbun to 3 -year terms as full-time
police officers and Scott Farrell, Michael Ovitt, Gary Mitchell and
Richard Robarge to 3 -year terms as reserve intermittent officers.
See also the box on page 15.
The Board accepted the resignation of Jeremiah Cronin from
the Fire Dept. and voted to send him a letter of thanks.
Per the recommendation of Recycling Coordinator David
Steindler, the Board approved the placement of a Goodwill Indus-
tries drop box for donations of clothing and textiles. Goodwill will
be responsible for maintaining the box.
The Board approved a curb cut permit for Peter Walsh on
Berkshire School Rd.
July 11 working meeting
The Board discussed establishing email accounts for the
Board and decided to follow up with Virtual Town Hall, the
©
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WEBSTER
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1719 North Main Street Sheffield, MA 01257
413-229-8124 websterlandscapes.com
ASSESSOR'S OFFICE
The Annual Deadline for
Chapter 61 A& 61 B Appli-
cations is on or before
Oct. I . No exceptions. If
you have any questions, call
229-7000 ext 155.
company that created the
town's website.
After a discussion, the
Board decided not to help pay for the Sheffield Times Annual
Meeting/Election Supplement. Instead, it will look into mail-
ing the Annual Town Warrant to all voters.
July 11 regular meeting
The Board discussed the police chief contract and voted
to delete the second paragraph of section 7 regarding buying
back sick time.
July 16 regular meeting
Catherine Miller, one of Sheffield's representatives on the
Southern Berkshire Regional School District School Com-
mittee, gave an overview regarding the request to transfer
$250,000 from the school's Excess and Deficiency account
to upgrade the lighting at the Sheffield campus. The Board
approved the transfer with the provision that the rebate, when
received by National Grid, be deposited into the Excess and
Deficiency account.
The Board voted to accept the resignation of Grace
Campbell from the Council on Aging and to send her a letter
of thanks. They did the same for Jeffrey Briggs, resigning from
the Fire Dept.
The Board voted to appoint Selectman Julie Hannum as
the representative to the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority.
JTC and Sons Inc. submitted a proposal of $160 per pull
for metal recycling at the Transfer Station. The Board voted to
accept the proposal.
The Board approved an application for Lisa White
and Norma Kimmel for an Antique and Second Hands
Goods License to operate Magpie's Closet at 1840 North
Main St.
The Board declared July 31 as "Chief James M.
McGarry Day."
Selectman Hannum noted that any business in town
interested in becoming a member of the Southern Berk-
Dawn O'Neil's Family Child Care
1701 Hewins Street
Ashley Falls, MA 01222
(413) 229-8557
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PAINT AND OIL RECYCLING
TRANSFER STATION
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Tues. & Fri.: I pm-4pm; Sat.:
8am-4pm;
Sun.: 8:30am-2pm
shire Chamber of Commerce can join
her as a guest at the next "After Hours"
chamber event.
Catherine Miller inquired about
installing a trash receptacle in the parking lot at the Town Hall.
The Board discussed possible locations and took the matter
under advisement.
Susan Butler was present to inquire about the location of
cabins throughout the town, and submitted a letter to the Board.
The Friends of the Senior Center
requested to have a Craft Fair at the
Senior Center on December 2, which
the Board approved.
The Board then discussed buying
an amplification system for the town
and decided to have Sam Sorentini
from Cutting Edge Audio/ Video come to a working session and
present options.
Administrator LaBombard received a letter from residents
on Bow Wow Rd. regarding the intersection of Cook Rd., Miller
Ave. and Bow Wow Rd. The Board decided to install dangerous
intersection signs there and send a letter regarding shrubs needing
to be trimmed.
July 17 working meeting
The Board decided to conduct interviews for an Acting Police
Chief on July 23 and July 24 and discussed the interview questions
and salary.
July 25 working meeting
The Board decided to appoint Eric R. Munson III for a one-
year term as Acting Police Chief, pending a signed contract,
August 6 regular board meeting
The Board voted to appoint Joseph Glaszcz and Kyle C.
LeGeyt-Mcloughlin to a one-year probationary term to the
Fire Dept.
The Board discussed the Annual 6th Grade Essay Contest
sponsored by the Massachusetts Municipal Association and
decided to participate in the contest again.
Ann-Elizabeth Barnes and Jana Laiz submitted a request for
support for the proposed route for the Elizabeth Freeman Center's
Annual "Mumbet Walk to Freedom, " which the Board approved.
The Board voted to grant another Antiques & Second Hand
Goods license, to Thomas Mattson, for a shop located at 665
North Main St.
Chairman Dave Smith, Jr., complimented everyone who
helped make the Retirement Celebration for the Police Chief Jim
McGarry a success. He noted that Acting Chief Eric Munson
III will be introduced at the next meeting and encouraged town
residents to stop in at the Police Station to greet him.
Bonnie Silver of 15 Bow Wow Rd. was present to discuss
the intersection of Miller Ave., Cook Rd. and Bow Wow Rd.,
discussed at a previous meeting, and submitted alternate signage to
Sheffield residents can recycle old oil paint and waste motor oil on Sat., Sept. 8,
9- 1 1 am at the Lenox Dept. of Public Works, 275 Main St., and on Sat., Sept. 29,
9-1 1:30am at the Great Barrington Recycling Center, 601 Stockbridge Rd.
Latex paint is not accepted at either event. Empty or dried-up cans of latex or
oil-based paint can be disposed with the regular trash.
For more information, call the Center for Ecological Technology at 888-577-
8448 ext. 10 or 30, email aric.brown@cetonline.org or visit www.cetonline.org.
the Board. The Board will take the suggestions under advisement
and follow up with the Police Department.
The Board approved a curb cut permit for Michael Stumo of
615 Boardman St., to add a semi-circular driveway.
FY 20 1 3 APPOINTMENTS TO
TOWN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Position
Term
(years)
Appointment
Agricultural Comm.
Alternates
1
Dominic Palumbo and Ruth Ziegler
| Animal Control Officer
1
Martin Clark
Animal Inspector
1
Rick Boardman
Ashley Falls Historic District
Comm.
3
Richard Swiatek and Peter Rawson
Board of Assessors
3
Barbara West
Berkshire Regional Planning
Alternate
1
Rene Wood
Board of Health
1
Scott Smith and Priscilla Cote
Commission on Disabilities
1
Claudia Martin
Conservation Commission
3
Cheryl Blackburn, Howard Chezar, James T.
Collingwood.Sr.
Constable
1
James McGarry, Bruce Person
: Council on Aging
3
Richard Magenis, Janet Stanton, Dorris
VanDeusen
Cultural Council
1
David Reed
Electrical Inspector
1
Richard Cappadonna
Asst. Electrical Inspector
1
Carl VanDeusen
Emergency Management
Coordinator
1
Edward McCormack
Emergency Management
Director
1
Jim McGarry
Gas & Piping Inspector
1
Robert Krupski
Asst. Gas & Piping Inspector
1
Robert Gennari
Health Inspector
1
George Oleen
Highway Superintendent
3
Edward Lord
Housing Commission
3
Kathy Orlando, John Stookey, Marilyn
Wightman
Local Emergency Planning
Committee
Rick Boardman, Rhonda LaBombard, James .
McGarry, David Smith, Jr.
Parking Clerk
Felecie Joyce
Plumbing Inspector
Robert Krupski
Asst. Plumbing Inspector
Robert Gennari
Public Weigher
Michael Pezzee
Recycling Coordinator
David Steindler
South Berkshire Dist.
Veterans Delegate
Dick Kirchner
Tree Warden
Edward Lord
Veteran's Agent
Laurie Hills
Zoning Board of Appeals
3
Richard Kirchner
! Zoning Board Alternate
1
Greig Siedor
15
Village Green
FROM THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE
Elections and voter registration. We are
gearing up for the final two elections of
this year:
Thurs., Sept. 6 State Primary
Tues., Nov. 6 State/Presidential Election
All elections will be held at the Senior
Center located on Cook Rd.
The deadline to register to vote or
BE A RESPONSIBLE VOTER!
Things to consider before you vote on Nov. 6:
•Are you registered?
• Have you recently moved to/from town?
• Has your registration address changed since the last
time you voted?
• Have you had a name change?
• Have you reviewed the questions that will appear on
the ballot?
change party status is 20 days prior to an for spayed/neutered dogs.
election, which makes the deadline for
the November election Wed., Oct. 17.
Check your voter status before the dead-
lines! See www.sec.state.ma.us/ele or call
the Town Clerk's office with questions.
The Presidential Election is typically
very busy, and the ballot is long. Try to
review ballot questions ahead of time and In its May, June and July meetings,
Dog licensing. Please
remember that if you
have a dog six months
of age or older, or if you
reside in Sheffield a
minimum of 30 days of licensed anytime of year at the regular
the year, you are required to license your rate. With proof of rabies and spay/neu-
ter status, you can mail in your request
for a license. Make checks payable to the
Town of Sheffield, and mail to Town
Clerk, P.O. Box 175, Sheffield MA
01257. Please include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope.
dog. The fees are $10 for intact dogs, $5
Licensing takes place annually from
March 1 to May 1. A fine of $25 per
dog will be imposed after the deadline.
If you have acquired a new dog it can be
PLANNING BOARD: May, June, July meetings
be prepared to vote when you go into the
booth. You will have 10 minutes to vote
unless people are waiting, when the limit
is reduced to 5 minutes.
Sample ballots will be available at the
Town Clerk's office and also on the
Town website: www.sheffieldma.gov.
the Planning Board approved Form A
applications (approval not required for
subdivision) for properties that will be
construct an artist's sculpture studio on
Hulett Hill Rd. The studio, planned for
1,300 square feet, would not be used
for delivery of materials and only one
Full Color Digital Printing
Full Color Envelope Printing
Large Format Printing
High Speed Copying
Laminating
Inline Bookletmaking
Perfect Binding
Folding
Perforating
Mailing Services
Graphic Design Services
35 Bridge Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Ph: 413.528.2885 Fx: 413.528.9220
typesetting@kwikprintinc.com
www.kwikprintinc.com
protected through the state's Agricultural person will work there 4-5 hours a day.
Preservation Restriction program and the The structure will be one story with a
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: g ara g e door. Meigs mostly works with
Michael Parsons, of Kelly Granger & granite less than 3 tons, about the size of
Parsons, represented the applicants: John a chair. He will use an air chisel and air
and Katherine Stookey for property on the hammer, which produce less noise than
west side of South Egremont Rd. and the a lawn mower. Diamond cutting saws
Chase family for property along Lime Kiln make a higher pitched sound but would
Rd. The Stookeys are conveying 10 acres be blocked by the building. There is no
to the Sheffield Land Trust for preserva- plan for any signage or exterior light-
tion. Two lots will be separated from the ing except a motion sensor light in the
Chase farm, one on each side of the road. parking lot. The art pieces are exhibited
The Board accepted a Special Permit around New England. It will not be a
application from Binney Meigs to retail operation.
COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
Sheffield's Commission on Disabilities will host another of its speaker series on
Thurs., Oct. 1 8, at the Sheffield Senior Center as part of the Center's Third Thurs-
day Luncheon. The topic will be "Resources and Aids for Hearing Impairments."
Karren Larson from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will discuss
resources and Dawn Matthews from the United Cerebral Palsy Center will dem-
onstrate aids for people with hearing difficulties. The luncheon begins at noon, with
the talk commencing around 1 2:30. Everyone is welcome. If you want to attend the
luncheon, contact the Senior Center at 229-7037. You can come just for the talk
without calling.
Questions? Ask any member of the Commission: Laura Grunfeld, David Wells,
Claudia Martin, Gail Mullen or Lori-Beth Amato. Or come to a meeting, which
are once a month at the Library. The next meetings are Fri., Aug. 24; Fri., Sept. 28;
and Fri., Oct. 19 and start at 3:30 p.m. For information about services in South
County for people with disabilities, contact Laura Grunfeld at 229-2476 or laura@
everyonesinvited.com. Anyone who needs accommodation at a Town event should
contact Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard at LaBombard@sheffieldma.gov or
413-229-7000x152.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: June & July meetings
In its June and July meetings, the Com-
mission issued "negative determinations"
(wetlands restrictions do not apply) for
these properties:
Peter Walsh, for selective tree clearing
on property on Berkshire School Rd.
The trees, mainly white pine, will be used
for lumber. Issued with the conditions that
only marked trees are to be cut, they are
to be felled away from the wetlands buffer
zone and that no heavy equipment will be
used to move them.
Wesley McCain for treating a pond on
property at 400 East Rd. with herbicides.
Issued with the conditions that the Com-
mission is present at the application and
the oudet of the pond is closed for five days
after. The Commission reserves the right to
review this project in future years.
Debra and Robert Beham for building
a single family dwelling on Hewins St, for
their daughter. A perennial stream runs
along the property, and the site was chosen
to minimize impact to the wetlands area.
Issued with the condition there be no clear-
ing into the wedand in the future and it be
kept as a wooded area.
Dale Webb, to install a culvert on
property on 205 Root Lane to allow access
to forested property. This project qualifies
as an agricultural exemption and no permit
is needed.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy, for
installation of a flexible pond leveler to miti-
gate flooding of property on Rt. 7. Tom
Ingersoll, an abutting property owner, has
noted that beavers were causing flooding
onto his property. He was awarded a grant
offered by the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals for the device, which is
installed through the beaver dam and allows
water to drain out The Commission had no
objections to this project.
In other business, the Commission
walked the site for a conservation restric-
tion to be held by the town on West Rd.,
CULTURAL COUNCIL
SEEKS PROPOSALS
The Cultural Council is accepting
applications for grants in the arts,
humanities, and sciences.The deadline
is Mon., Oct. 1 5. Last year, the Council
distributed about $4,000.
You can get more information at
the Council's table at the Sheffield Fair
on Sept 8. Also, on Sat., Sept. 22, the
Council will lead a free grant-writing
workshop at the Library from noon
to 1:30pm. For specific guidelines and
application forms, see www.mass-
culture.org/Sheffield. Questions? Ask
Trudy Weaver Miller at trudyweaver-
miller@verizon.net or 4 1 3-44 1 -6446.
as proposed by the Sheffield Land Trust.
The Commission signed the conservation
restriction and by doing so are recommend-
ing approval by the Board of Selectman.
The Commission visited The Nature
Conservancy Schenob Brook Tract restora-
tion project, revised now that access has
been granted by Nancy Smith, an abutter,
and found it beneficial to the endangered
species on the site. The Commission will
issue an enforcement order.
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413-229-6610
BUYING
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BULK SILVER (FLATWARE, ETC.)
DIAMOND BROKERS & APPRAISERS
Sachs Reisman, Inc.
JEWELRY MANUFACTURING
25 Maple Avenue
Sheffield, MA
413-229-0050
Compare & Save
Organizations & Businesses
NEW ANTIQUE STORE IN SHEFFIELD
The newest shop in the center of Shef-
field is Antiques on the Green. Located
next to the Village Green Restaurant,
the store opened last January in the space
vacated by the Sheffield Market.
The owners, Alicia and Scott Ryan,
had long hoped to open their own antiques
store in this area and were delighted to be
able to start their new business on Route
7. Alicia, who was "born and bred in the
Berkshires," started collecting antiques
when she was a teenager. "My dad would
go to auctions and I would go with him,"
she said. "I was hooked. As an adult, I only
bought old furniture for my home, never
anything new."
Scott traces his family's New England
roots back to 1723 when his mother's
ancestors came here from Europe. Starting
in the 19 th century, his family had antiques
businesses in New Bedford, MA. For 1 1
years Scott worked for Bradford Auctions,
the long-time Sheffield institution that
Antiques on the Green in the center of Sheffield.
closed several years ago.
There was quite a bit of work
to do before they were able to
open the store, including replac-
ing all the lighting fixtures. The
Ryans kept the store's original
tin ceiling, which gives the space
vintage charm.
The store is filled with a mix
of affordable used furniture, decorative armadillo basket, a crocodile handbag
objects and accessories and true Ameri- from pre-Castro Cuba and other oddities,
can antiques. Old photographs are all To find their wares, the Ryans fre-
around. In the front corner stands a circa- quent auctions, tag sales and flea markets
1910 Victorian-style lollipop chair, whose across New York State and New England.
spindles end in the circlets that give the They also make house calls if someone
chair its name. contacts them about a piece of American
Glass-fronted display cases are filled furniture or an interesting curiosity they
with Noritake pieces, china and art pot-
tery. There's a Holcomb and Hoke 1920s
popcorn machine that still works and a
Biedermeier-style clock. Scott loves to
want to sell.
Antiques on the Green's summer and
fall hours are Thursday through Monday
from 10am to 5pm. In December, they will
guide men over to the "guys' display case," be open Friday through Monday only.
which contains beer drinking mugs, an — Judith Schumer
SHOP LOCAL
Fluke, Flea, and FireFly Ukuleles
made right here in Sheffield!
Seconds available;
gift certificates and ukulele lessons, too.
Sign up for ukulele lessons, group and private,
with local musical favorite Rob Sanzone.
Call 413-229-8536 to find out more.
The Magic Fluke Company, LLC
292 S. Main Street, Sheffield MA 01257
www.Magicfluke.com
DE VRIES BUILDING SUPPLY INC.
21 BERKSHIRE SCHOOL ROAD SHEFFIELD, MA
Lumber
Garden Supplies
Domestic
& Livestock Feed
Masonry
Paint
Insulation
Hardware
Whether you're a contractor or doing the job yourself
you'll find what you need at De Vries.
41 3-229-8777 41 3-229-8820 FAX
www.devriesbuildingsupply.com
BERKSHIRE TAX SERVICE, INC.
Yvonne Skiba, MBA, Accountant
10 Depot Street • P.O. Box 787
Housatonic MA 01236
ph 413 274-1110
fax 423 274 1211
berkshiretaxservice@verizon.net
18
COBBLE NEWS: APPRECIATING WHAT'S AROUND US
A friend's wife was out of town recently
for a week, so we spent every day after
work fishing on the Housatonic. As
I floated along the river, I once again
thought: Wow, how I love this area.
Bucolic scenes unfolded around each
bend: corn, sky, silver maples, hayfields. I
felt the workday stress lifting, leaving me
content and peaceful.
I suspect that I'm not the only one
so soothed by my surroundings here in
Sheffield, and that's one of the reasons
many of us have found our way to this
corner of the state.
Look in any direction outside and
you can have remarkable views: Mt.
Everett and Mt. Race, the Housatonic
and Konkapot rivers, Schenob Brook,
Three Mile and Mill ponds and long
houseless tracks of woodlands and farm-
lands. This time of year these views are
unbeatable. This is when we rediscover
them all again. Going about our daily
routines we are smacked with dazzling
color and we once again truly see what's
around us.
This experience, this rekindling of
the visceral response to the beauty of
nature, strengthens my knowledge that I
am where I should be. It would be easy
enough for me to relocate and spend my
time lounging on a beach in Florida or
finding a high-paying job in the city, but
when the trees turn red, orange and yel-
low, I know I have found my place here
in Sheffield. I am home.
I realize I'm coming off as a bit mushy,
but I can't help it. And I had to write
about something for this issue of the
Sheffield Times. I'm certainly not about
to tell you about the fish I caught. No
good fisherman tells.
If you want a spectacular view of
Sheffield this month in the company
of like-minded people, come and listen
to Don Worth play his bagpipes atop
Hurlburt's Hill on Sept. 8. (see the events
listing below). You will definitely see what
I mean.
— Rene Wendell, Conservation Ranger
at Bartholomew's Cobble
SHEFFIELD BOY SCOUTS
The Sheffield Boy Scouts began their
new year on Aug. 29. The troop meets
every Wednesday at 7pm at the Amer-
ican Legion on Route 7 and have at
least one event a month. New Scouts
and past Scouts are welcome to stop
in and see the Scouts in action and
decide if it is for them. Kosta Casivant
will be this year's Senior Patrol Leader.
Owen Wright of New Marlborough is
the Scout Master.
Over the summer Kosta, Demitre
Cavisant and Pat Hogelin attended
camp in leadership roles, and Kosta
attended a week of National Youth
Leadership Training. We're looking
forward to a new agenda of outdoor
activities in coming months.
Camp was a good place to work
on merit badges. Kosta earned
badges for environmental science and
rifle shooting. Pat earned geocach-
ing and oceanography. Alex Dagruel
earned canoeing. Nick LeGeyt earned
space exploration. Nikos Casivant
also earned space exploration, and
swimming too. Ricky McLoughlin
earned archery and astronomy and
Sean Smith earned environmental
science, shotgun shooting and wilder-
ness survival.
Nick and Nikos also worked
towards rank advancement with a full
week of outdoor skills training and
first aid.
Overnight treks over the sum-
mer included a three-day hike on the
Appalachian Trail in June and a hike in
New York State in August.
COBBLE AND ASHLEY HOUSE EVENTS
Cobble Eco-Volunteers
Every Thursday, 9am-noon. Keeping the Cobble
landscape healthy and accessible means a lot of
care and attention. During the spring, summer,
and fall, we are looking for individuals and groups
to regularly help out. Can't make Thursdays or
looking for a one-time project? Call Conserva-
tion Ranger Rene Wendell.
Labor Day Canoe Trip
Mon., Sept. 3, 8:30 - 1 1 :30am. Celebrate Labor
Day by paddling the Housatonic. Watch for bald
eagles flying over Bartholomew's Cobble. With
your guide, learn about the river's history and its
restoration. Paddles, life preservers and boats are
provided. Please pre-register. Members: adult $24;
child ( 1 0- 1 6) $ 1 0. Nonmembers: adult $30; child
(10-16) $15.
Sunset Serenade
Sat., Sept. 8, 4:30pm. Hurlburt's Hill at the
Cobble offers a wonderful spot to watch the sun
go down. On this evening, trek 20 minutes to the
hilltop to hear bagpiper Don Worth serenade
the sunset, weather permitting. Bring a lawn
chair or blanket and a picnic, which we'll tote up
the hill for you in our truck. Members: adult $8;
child free. Nonmembers: adult $ 1 0; child $ I .
Hawk Watch and Picnic
Sat., Oct 6, 1 1 am- 1 pm. Come watch for migrating
hawks atop Hurlburt's Hill. Bring a blanket, a chair
and something to share for a potluck lunch. Free
with admission to the Cobble.
'Traces of the Trade' screening
Sat., Oct. 27,4-7pm.Join us for activities at
Ashley House, where one slave spoke up for
freedom, and a screening of this documentary
about the infamous Triangle Trade of slaves and
sugar at the Cobble. Free. Call 4 1 3-44 1 -6446 for
information.
The Trustees of Reservations manage Bartholomew's
Cobble, a National Natural Landmark, on Weatogue
Rd. in Ashley Falls. It's open year-round, daily,
sunrise to sunset. The Visitor's Center is open from
9am-4:30pm (Tues. to Sat. in whiter) . Admission is
free for members of The Trustees of Reservations and
Sheffield Non-members: $5 adult, $1 child. Call 229-
8600 or email bcobble@ttor.org.
19
.
Organizations & Businesses
KIWANIS NEWS & EVENTS
Successful summer campaigns* Our
sincere thanks to all who participated
in our recent Cruise Raffle. The
winners were drawn from the "golden
drum" on on Aug. 25 at the annual
Kiwanis/ Firemen Steak Roast.
Grand prize winner of the nine-day
Caribbean cruise for two was Nancy
Brown, from Torrington, CT. The sec-
ond prize of $1,000 cash went to Deb
Harper of Lee, who works at Berkshire
School in Sheffield.
Once again we are grateful for our
faithful following who showed up hun-
gry and ready to share food and sum-
mer time company at the Steak Roast.
Fall campaigns. Three events domi-
nate our calendar in the next couple of
months. Members of Kiwanis will host
our club's annual Radiothon on Station
WSBS on Fri., Oct. 26. Please tune in
and support all the community projects
we have scheduled for the coming year.
The "Warm the Children" campaign
will begin in October. Watch for the
ads in the Berkshire Record for details
on how you can provide kids with new
winter clothing from Kmart for early
holiday gifts.
This project is chaired by Jane
Berger and Dave Johnson, who coordi-
nate the Kiwanis shoppers who accom-
pany the families as they shop. Last
year, we were able to provide winter
clothing to more than 150 children.
One of the main ways we raise
money for Warm the Children is the
Harvest Brunch, which will be held
on Oct. 28 (see box at right). Rene
Wood and Dave Smith, Sr., supervise
this event with help from nearly every
Kiwanis member.
Regular duties. Our regular hosting
at the Breaking Bread Soup Kitchen,
held at the American Legion on Route
7, continues. Our seven-month high-
way cleanup concludes for the season
with the Litter Patrols of Sept. 20 and
Oct. 18.
The Kiwanis Cafe, our mobile
refreshment trailer, will offer its tasty
menu at the Sheffield Fair at the Town
Park on Sat., Sept. 8. The staff will also
serve at the Rotary Club's "Fly In" at the
Great Barrington airport on Sept. 15,
and at the horse show in Egremont's
French Park on Sept. 16. Deb Wright
and Dave Smith, Sr., have chaired the
season's schedule for the food unit.
Honors and officers. On Sat., Oct.
6, the Annual Kiwanis Installation and
Awards Banquet will honor retired
Police Chief James McGarry with a
Lifetime Achievement Award. The
event this year will take place at the
Egremont Country Club, with cocktails
and appetizers at 6:30pm and dinner
and ceremony an hour later.
New officers being installed for the
2012-2013 Kiwanis year are JoAnn
Shmulsky, president; Jim Collingwood,
president-elect; Dennis Hankey, vice
president; Pat Salvi, secretary; and
Dick Goodwin, treasurer. Seven mem-
bers of the Board of Directors will also
take office. The Kiwanian of the Year
presentation concludes the program.
— Dick Goodwin
KIWANIS HARVEST
BRUNCH SET FOR
END OF OCTOBER
The Sheffield Kiwanis will host its
third annual Harvest Brunch on Sun.,
Oct. 28, from 9:30am to 12:30pm
at the Sheffield American Legion on
Route 7.The Kiwanis will be serv-
ing a delicious meal including eggs,
sausage, quiche, ham, fruit salad,
macaroni and cheese and a selection
of muffins and tea breads baked by
the members of the club.
A silent auction will feature
donations of gift certificates, ser-
vices and items from local busi-
nesses and residents. Every adult
attendee will receive a 50/50 raffle
ticket, which will have a special prize
drawing for advance ticket purchas-
ers. New this year will be a "Chinese
auction," for which participants buy
raffle chances only for items they're
interested in. To make it easier to
enter all these, think about bringing
preprinted address labels.
Proceeds from the brunch will
benefit Warm the Children, which
provides winter clothing for children
in our community. Last year, the
Kiwanis raised almost $5,000 for the
clothing campaign.
Tickets for the brunch are $10
for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12,
with children under 4 free. Tickets
can be purchased in advance at
Gulotta's Mobil, Silk's Variety, Berk-
shire Styles Salon, Shear Image, PJ's
Convenience Store and JTC & Sons.
In Great Barrington, tickets can
be purchased at Smitty's Sandwich
Shop, GoodWorks Insurance and
Sears. Tickets will also be available at
the door.
I traditional Naturopathic (^are
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Casa Mia Studio
Ashley Falls, Massachusetts
413/229-3355
20
LAND TRUST NEWS
Fall property walk* On October 20 at
lpm, the Land Trust will host its annu-
al guided Fall Property Walk on private,
conserved land. Naturalist Rene Wendell
will again be the guide. Watch for details
in local media as the date grows closer.
Annual meeting draws a crowd.
More than 100 people showed up for the
Land Trust's annual meeting and potluck
lunch in June. The event was held under
a tent on River Lea Farm, near the Shef-
field Covered Bridge, and celebrated the
protection of that farm through the Mas-
sachusetts Agricultural Preservation Re-
striction (APR) program. This state pro-
gram helps purchase development rights
on farmland, allowing families to get the
value of their land without having to sell
it or give up its farming use.
As reported in the last issue, Martin
and Rosa Brunnschweiler operated Riv-
er Lea as a dairy farm until the mid 1980s
and more recently had horses while leas-
ing the land to the Aragi family of Pine Is-
land Farm. With the APR in place, the
Aragis were able to buy the whole
farm so they will permanently have
that valuable cropland and barns
to feed and house their dairy herd
(Pine Island is the largest dairy
farm in the state). The farmhouse,
which they also bought, will be
used for farm worker housing.
Volunteers get the tent ready for the Land Trust's
annual meeting in one of River Lea Farm's fields.
initiative, which includes a number of CRs
At the potluck lunch, Martin spoke of and owned properties as well as five APR
the many years his family lived on and ran
River Lea, which covers nearly 300 acres
between Boardman St. and the Housa-
tonic River north of Covered Bridge Lane.
Louis Aragi, Jr., also spoke about how the
land will help him as a farmer, of how he
sometimes wakes up at night and worries
about having enough to feed his cows.
The Land Trust's initiatives. Riv-
er Lea is part of the Land Trust's "Ho usa-
tonic River Corridor" initiative, which in-
cludes eight farm properties along the riv-
er protected with APRs, as well as a num-
ber of conservation restrictions (CRs)
and three properties which the land trust
owns. The Land Trust is also moving for-
ward on its Sheffield-Egremont Corridor
farm properties in northwest Sheffield and
southeast Egremont, including currently
Maple Shade and Bow Wow Farms. The
third major effort is the Community Trail
Network, where the Land Trust is work-
ing with Greenager, the Southern Berk-
shire Regional School District and others
to build a bridge over the Schenob Brook
and otherwise improve the trails that run
near the campus of the school.
All this requires money. The Land
Trust must raise $400,000 to meet the
obligations incurred by this work. To
make a donation or for more information,
contact the Land Trust at P.O. Box 940,
Sheffield, MA 012567, 229-0234, she-
fland@bcn.net, www.sheffieldland.org.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
FIRE LOG
February
2 Gregg S. Massini to Christopher A. & Diana W.Williams, property at Clayton Rd.,
$300,000.
3 William F. & Deborah J. Gulotta to Edward J. & Norma R. Gulotta, property at 30 1
Miller Ave., $2 1 5,000.
29 Barry Emberlin to Gettysburg Group, LLC, property at 599 South Main St., transfer.
March
4 Clifford F. Moger & Barry A. Miske to John H. & Katherine E. Stookey, trustees of the
John H. & Katherine E. Stookey Revocable Trusts, property at 946 Silver St., $525,000.
27 OleksandrV. &Tetyana I. Chernysh to Victor J. Zueco, property at 21 7 Bunce Rd.,
$297,000.
April
6 Thomas P. & Elizabeth B.G. Marino to Stephen Leining.Trustee of Middle Road Nomi-
nee Realty Trust, property at 1885 North Main St., $270,000.
20 John M.Trierwefler & Kevin T. Moran to Nicholas Henderson, property at 1435
County Rd., $ 1 25,000.
25 Robert G. & Ann M. Dean to Norman G. & Gillian R. Hettinger, property at 384 Bow
Wow Rd., $285,000.
May
2 1 Bruno B. & Olga M.Veronesi to Diane M. Shippa, property at 374 Miller Ave.,
$119,000.
June
20 Shirley Coons & Kenneth Roux to Jeffrey L Stoddard Jr. & Tracy M.Wilkinson, prop-
erty at 275 Polikoff Rd., $55,000.
28 Martin & Rosa Brunnschweiler to Louis T.Aragi & Louis TAragi, Jr., property at 1025
Boardman St., $605,000.
28 Martin & Rosa Brunnschweiler to Louis T.Aragi & Louis T.Aragi Jr., property at
Boardman St., $ 1 60,000.
29 Anna M. Leffingwell to William J. Bassett, property at 40 1 Polikoff Rd., $ 1 95,000.
29 Neal Borovitz &Ann H.Appelbaum toAlina K. &Tishan Hsu, property at 399 Hewins
St., $330,000.
July
1 3 Stephen W Agar to Donald R. Roeder, property at 22 Park Lane, $2 1 7,200.
20 Mark Pruhenski & Melissa Vansant to Stephen Stewart Browning, property at 55
South Main St., $ 1 79,000.
27 Agnes N. Salvan 2003 Revocable Trust to John P. Kemp & Angela Cardinali, property in
Sheffield & New Marlborough, $3 1 0,000.
August
3 Irving O. Slavid & Leslie Wolf to John P. & Diana R. Engel, property at 584 Silver St.,
$527,500.
June
1 8 Alarm at 224 Board-
man St.
20 Lost hiker on mountain
behind Option Institute.
25 Alarm at Sheffield
Plastics.
30 Auto accident at 59
County Rd./Hewins St.
30 Mutual aid to New
Marlborough Fire Dept.
July
2 Auto accident, clean up
fuel on Rt.7A.
2 House fire at 554 Alum
Hill Rd.
3 CO detector at 1 2
GlenanaWay.
5 Washdown after auto
accident at Silk's Variety,
Rt.7.
18 Mutual aid to Lakeville,
CT, Fire Dept.
19 Mutual aid to Sharon,
CT, Fire Dept.
26 Mutual aid standby in
our station for Egre-
mont Fire Dept.
August
4 CO detector at 38 1
Berkshire School Rd.
5 Mutual aid to New
Marlborough Fire Dept.
for structure fire.
5 Alarm at 1085 Board-
man St.
9 Fire alarm at Salisbury
Bank.
I I Mutual aid to Stock-
bridge Fire Dept.
CARL VAN DEUSEN
ELECTRICIAN - MA LIC. #36403E
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AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR - SALES, SERVICE,
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PHONE: 413-229-8624
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150 E. 52 nd Street 2125588820
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New York, NY 10022 212 750 6475 fax
pbloodworth@dominickanddominick.com
4132293530 by app't Fridays
22
Calendar Page
September
3
LABOR DAY
6
STATE PRIMARY ELECTION
8
Recycling (p. 1 5)
8
Sheffield Fair (p. 7)
8
Dewey Hall Folk Series (p. 5)
14
Historical Society talk (p. 6)
17
ROSH HASHANA
21
Community music (p. 9)
26
YOM KIPPUR
29
Recycling (p. 1 5)
October
1
Chapter 6IA & B deadline (p. 14)
5
Dewey Hall Folk Series (p. 5)
6
Art show opening (p. 5)
7
Church auction (p. 4)
7
Pie contest (p. 3)
8
COLUMBUS DAY
15
Cultural Council grant deadline (p. 17)
18
Disabilities talk (p. 1 6)
20
Naturalist walk (p. 21)
31
HALLOWEEN
IS
Deadline NOV./DEC. Sheffield Times
28
Good Samaritan Fund benefit (p. 1 3)
November
2
Dewey Hall Folk Series (p. 5)
4
DAYLIGHT SAVINTGS ENDS
6
ELECTION DAY
See also the listings for Music & More (p. 2),
Library (p. 1 0), Bartholomew's Cobble (p. 1 9),
Kiwanis (p. 20)
Buy local, read local!
Please contribute!
ONLINE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Sheffield Association sponsors a Sheffield Community Cal-
endar for public events in the towns of Sheffield and Ashley Falls.
To view the online calendar, go to www.localendar.com/public/
SheffieldCalendar.
To submit information to be posted on the calendar, send an
email to SheffieldCommunityCalendar@gmail.com.
Please include the following information: Name of event; date;
address of location; contact email, phone, or website; admission
costs, if any; sponsoring organization; brief description of event.
Information may be edited for space and appropriateness.
ONGOING CALENDAR ITEMS
Meetings or events that occur less than weekly are
noted with a week number- i.e. T', 3 ,d " indicates
meetings are on the first and third times that day occurs in the month. * indicates appointment needed.
Meals on Wheels, Mon-Fri, except holidays
only for summer)
Mondays:
Thursdays:
Building Inspector, Town Hall, 7am-1pm
Building Inspector, Thurs. 11am-6pm
Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 7pm, 1 st , 3 rd
Senior Center physical fitness, 9am
Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 7pm,
Third Thursday Luncheon, Senior Center, noon
Jnd Mi
* Hearing Testing available, Senior Center, 3 rd
Board of Health, Town Hall, 6pm, 2 nd
Breaking Bread Kitchen, Amerlican Legion
Food Assistance Program, Old Parish Church,
Hall, 5pm
9-10:30am
Fridays
* Foof care clinic, Senior Center, 1 s '
Building Inspector, 11am-4pm
Tuesdays:
Council on Aging, 9:30am, as needed
Building Inspector, 7am-1pm
Commission on Disabilities, Library, 3:30pm 3 rd
Ashley Falls Historic District Commission,
Farmers' Market, 2:30-6:30pm, Old Parish
Town Hall, 6:30pm, 2 nd
Church Parking Lot (through September)
Senior Center physical fitness, 9am
Saturdays:
Children's Story Hour, Library, 10am
Dewey Hall Folk Music Series, 8pm, 1 s '
Senior Center "Lawn Chair Movie, " 11:30am
Senior Center Knitting Group, 11am, 3 rd
Kiwanis Club, The Bhdge Restaurant, 6:30pm
Sundays:
Wednesdays:
Men's Group, Old Parish, 7:45am, 2 nd
Senior Center Knitting Group, 3pm, 1 s '
Planning Board, Town Hall, 7pm, 2 nd , 4 ,h (4 th
SUPPORTTHE SHEFFIELD TIMES,YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER!
Yes, I want to support the Sheffield Times!
Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation of □ $25 □ $50 H$IOO O $200 □ $500 □ Other
made payable to the Sheffield Association, P.O. Box 1339, Sheffield, MA 01 257
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to everyone who makes a donation unless you tell us otherwise. Please check here if you do not want issues mailed to you: □
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23
IMES
Community Newsletter for
Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA
P.O. Box 1339
Sheffield, MA 01257
sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
PRSRT STD
AUTO
U.S. POSTAGE
. PAID
SHEFFIELD, MA
PERMIT NO. 4
music
MB
more
12
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
sept 1 Bach's Musical Offering
Free pre-concert talk, 3:30 p.m.
Christopher Krueger, baroque flute
Daniel Stepner, baroque violin
Jane Starkman, baroque violin & viola
Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba
John Gibbons, harpsichord
Sept 8
Daedalus String Quartet
Mendelssohn, Perle and Dvorak
Praised by The New Yorker as "a
fresh and vital young participant in
what is a golden age of American
string quartets"
m For lovers of world-class music and
N lively literary chat. - Rural Intelligence
. i ill \ ■ ■■■ " -'■ >
! i \ At the historic Meeting House
Rt. 57 in scenic
New Marlborough, Ma
sept 15 Boston Classical Trio
Free pre-concert talk, 4 p.m.
Susanna Ogata, violin; Guy Fishman, cello;
Ian Watson, fortepiano
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
sept 22 Brahms Violin Sonatas and
Mendelssohn
Free pre-concert talk, 3:30 p.m.
Robert Levin, piano • Daniel Stepner, violin
sept 29 Jazz, Latin, and World Fusion
Vocalist Maria Rivas; Paul Green, Jewish/Jazz Project
Wine tasting after the show
Oct 6 Award-Winning Authors
Mitchel Levitas of The New York Times
with Liza Mundy, Andrew Nagorski,
and Peter Cameron
ass
' nr.il ( ilipni
l'.i.,r„
WIERIAN
—^"■v;
Receptions with the artists after the performances • Art Gallery Shows through Sept. 23
FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION: www.newmarlborough.org (413) 229-2785
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